Metallic tube.



A. G. MILLS.

METALLIC TUBE.

ARILIOATION FILED NOV, 14, 1910.

Patented Aug. 6,1912.

Stwcmfoz witnesses ANSON C. MILLS, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, A

, ASSIGNOR TO JACKSON FENCE COMPANY, CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

METALLIC TUBE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

Application filed November 14, 1910. Serial No. 592,276.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Anson C. MILLS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Jackson, in the county of J ackson and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metallic Tubes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in metallic tubes for use as fence posts, poles, columns and various other structural purposes and more particularly to such tubes made of sheet metal.

My device consists essentially of a sheet metal tubular structure preferably somewhat tapered or conical and having its edges joined by a seam extending along one side embodying my invention and consisting of interlocked portions whereby a rigid tubular structure is forked as will more fully appear by reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the axis of a post or tube embodying my invention, showing the inner side of the scam in elevation. Fig. 2 a transverse section of the same shown adapted for use as a fence post; and Fig. 3 an enlarged perspective detail further illustrating my invention.

Like numbers refer to like parts in all of the figures.

1 represents a tubular sheet metal body, in this instance shown adapted for use as a fence post or for the attachment of wires, bars or other devices thereto by having formed therein preferably opposite the seam a longitudinal rib 2 to which the same may be attached. This rib however is no essential part of my invention, which latter resides in the means for securing the edges of the sheet'metal tube to each other and forming the longitudinal seam of the tube. For this purpose the edges of the sheet before forming up tubular are provided with alternately disposed projections 6 spaced apart slightly more than their Width and so disposed that when the sheet is formed up tubular each projection on one edge will upon the surface of pass between and intermesh with the projections on the opposite edge and the edges proper will abut in a rightline with the projections overlap ing the surface of the tube proper prefera ly 0n the inside thereof. The overlapping projections are then secured in place by crimping or interlocking the projections and body of the tube by forming depressions in one and elevations in the other engaging or pressed into said depressions, preferably forcing the abutting edges inward in the form of a longitudinal rib as at 7 and pressing the projections into the concavities at each side of the rib and engaging the side of the rib whereby the projections and edges of the tube are interlocked and securely held'from detachment or relative movement. A tube with its edges thus secured is rapidly and easily made especially if formed by suitable dies and forms a quite substantial structure Without any of the usual means for riveting, brazing or securing as heretofore deemed necessary.

l/Vhat I claim is 1. A sheet metal tube having its edges in close relation and provided with alternating projections extending oppositely the tube and secured thereto by interlocking depressions and pr0- jections formed in said projections and tube.

2. A sheet metal tube, having its edges in close relation, alternating projections on said edges oppositely overlapping the in-. ner surface of the tube said tube being bent to form a longitudinal bead along the seam therein and the projections bent to engage the respective sides of the bead.

3. A sheet metal tube, having abutting edges, alternating and intermeshing projections on said edges extending oppositely upon the inner surface of the tube, the edges of the tube being bent inward and the projections bent outward to engage and interlock with the inwardly bent edges.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANSON C. MILLS.

Witnesses:

CHAS. W. HIGBY, THERESA H. BURNS. 

